Mataasnalupa, Taysan, Batangas: Historical Data
Full transcription of the so-called “Historical Data” for the barrio of Mataasnalupa in the Municipality of Taysan, Batangas, the original scanned documents at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections not having OCR or optical character recognition properties. This transcription has been edited for grammar, spelling and punctuation where possible. The original pagination is provided for citation purposes.
[Cover page.]
DIVISION OF BATANGAS
District of Lobo
TAYSAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Taysan
H I S T O R Y A N D C U L T U R A L L I F E
O F T H E B A R R I O O F
MATAASNALUPA
[p. 1]
HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF
MATAASNALUPA
1. Known from the early times up to the present as Mataasnalupa.
2. Popularly known since 1872. It got its name according to the geographical position, being situated in a high place. The first Spanish settlers who came to the place called it “Alta Tierra,” and from that time on, it was given that name Mataasnalupa. It has no sitio. Bounded to the north by Mahanadiong, east by a river, to the south by Santo Niño and to the west by a river also.
3. It was established as early as in 1872, when Poblacion de la Mercedes was first settled by the Spanish friars.
4. The original families were Zaras, Africas and the Perezes. As a proof of this, we will find out that nearly all the families found in Mataasnalupa are at present of these surnames. Other families are just newcomers to the place.
5. During the Spanish time:
During the American Regime, and up to the Republic of the Philippines:
[p. 2]
6. At present, Mataasnalupa is sparsely populated because of the poor soil. People went to other places due to the fact that the yield they had could not support the family’s use for the whole year.
7. In 1937, gold was discovered and mined sometime in 1938.
8. During the American regime and under the Commonwealth of the Philippines, gold was discovered, thus the economic side of the people living near was greatly bolstered.
The Antipolo Gold Mining Company began operations in1939. Half a million capital was invested. During the company’s operations, many people were employed. Unfortunately, the Second World War broke out. The company was forced to stop operations because the Japanese soldiers nearly got all the iron materials for was purposes.
After the war, the company [unreadable word] its operations. It is called Taysan Gold Mine, because another company bought claims and rights from the former.
Hundreds and hundreds of laborers were employed. The people of Mataasnalupa are politically and educationally benefited because they have learned the likes and dislikes of the Ilocanos, Bicolanos and the Visayans.
Because of the higher wages claimed by the laborers, the company was forced to stop operations. Thus, several hundred thousand pesos were lost, both to the company and to the people of Mataasnalupa. The income of the municipality was greatly affected, too.
9. No properties, lives and buildings were destroyed during 1896-1900. Our early soldiers used the hit and run tactics.
[p. 4]
In 1941-1945, several suspected guerrillas were picked up and killed by the cruel invaders. Just after the war, the company started operations. New homes were built, scattered in the [unreadable word] parts of the barrio.
10. Traditionally and religiously, the people of Mataasnalupa observed Sundays and Church holidays, i.e. never work in the farm on these days.
(a) Birth:
All members of the family are usually present during this time. They have the “PUYATAN” for several days; before the child is baptized. This is very common among the Mataasnalupa folks.
(b) Baptism:
During the early times, the young couple was not given freedom to select the supposed-to-be godmother or godfather of the child. The parents of both couples were the ones selecting the supposed second mother or father of the child. Nowadays, they are given freedom to do so. During baptism, a party is being held to celebrate the coming of a new member of the family.
(c) It was an old custom that the parents of the young man courted the parents of the bride. Oftentimes, she never talked with [unreadable]. Courting usually lasted for one year or more. At present, courting takes the other sides.
(d) Marriage:
Before marriage, the parents of the young man came to the house of the girl. They make arrangements for the coming marriage. They selected a date. They planned the expenses to be incurred during the party. Sometimes, a “bigay kaya” is given by the parents of the man. [The rest of the page is unreadable.]
[p. 5]
Death:
When one dies in a family, all relatives of the deceased are being informed. During the night before the burial, there is a puyatan. During this time, a pig or a cow is being slaughtered for the rich and a pig for the poor ones. Sometimes, the impairment is too expensive. Ordinarily, it costs about ₱100.00. Naturally, they celebrate the 4th, 9th, and 30th days, after death. Cows and pigs are being slaughtered during these days.
Burial:
For rich people, they have expensive burials. For the common family, only simple ones are done. Mourning continues for one year.
Visits:
They seldom received visitors. Only the comadres and compadres and some immediate members of the family come to them during [the] Christmas season. But when certain visitors happen to drop in, then they are very hospitable. Chickens and eggs are being served.
Festivals:
Religiously every year, they have the Flores de Mayo. During the day, mass is being said. People enjoyed themselves during this day. Games are being held, like softball and Huego de Anillo.
World:
The people of Mataasnalupa believe that there is one God who created the world. They naturally adore Jesus Christ as this God.
The Land:
[A] Long time ago, the sky and the earth were two good friends.
[p. 6]
The crows were the only birds, then. Because they were tired of flying, then they set the sky and the [earth] to quarrel. The angry sea threw water at the sky and then the sea threw all the stones and all of the earth the sky had. Thus, the beginning of the land.
Mountains and Caves:
The people of Mataaasnalupa believed that under the seas were giant turtles. These turtles tested their strength. So, parts of the land were lifted, thus the origin of the mountains.
In these mountains, we will find caves where the supposed inkantos and big giants live.
11. Rivers, Lakes and Seas:
Naturally, the ancient people of Mataasnalupa believed that the rivers, lakes and seas were created by God.
Plants, trees, and animals were the first creatures created by God.
As to [the] moon, stars, eclipses, they also believed that God created them, too.
Earthquakes, lightning and thunder were signs of punishments made by God for these sinners. These beliefs are still true to the present generations of Mataasnalupa.
Rains and clouds are also God’s wishes, according to the people of this place.
Wind and storms are a source of punishments for those people who work during holidays.
Changes of weather and climate depend upon the natural phenomena of the earth. All these changes depend upon God’s wishes. People of Mataasnalupa are unaware of the earth’s movements.
11. Continued.
[p. 8]
11. Continued..
12. Popular Songs, Games and Amusements.
13. Puzzles and Riddles.
14. Proverbs and Sayings.
15. Measuring Time.
16. No tales available.
17. No information on books, documents, etc. available.
18. No authors, writers known so far in the place.
Notes and references:
Transcribed from “Report on History and Cultural Life Mataasnalupa,” 1953, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.
District of Lobo
TAYSAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Taysan
H I S T O R Y A N D C U L T U R A L L I F E
O F T H E B A R R I O O F
MATAASNALUPA
P R E P A R E D B Y :
[Sgd.] MR. DOMINGO M. MASILANG
Chairman
[Sgd.] MISS ROSITA C. RAMIREZ
Member
Chairman
[Sgd.] MISS ROSITA C. RAMIREZ
Member
[Sgd.] MR. CIRIACO M. BAUTISTA
Consultant
Principal, Taysan Elem. School
Consultant
Principal, Taysan Elem. School
MR. NICASIO P. BATAS
District Supervisor
District Supervisor
[p. 1]
MATAASNALUPA
1. Known from the early times up to the present as Mataasnalupa.
2. Popularly known since 1872. It got its name according to the geographical position, being situated in a high place. The first Spanish settlers who came to the place called it “Alta Tierra,” and from that time on, it was given that name Mataasnalupa. It has no sitio. Bounded to the north by Mahanadiong, east by a river, to the south by Santo Niño and to the west by a river also.
3. It was established as early as in 1872, when Poblacion de la Mercedes was first settled by the Spanish friars.
4. The original families were Zaras, Africas and the Perezes. As a proof of this, we will find out that nearly all the families found in Mataasnalupa are at present of these surnames. Other families are just newcomers to the place.
5. During the Spanish time:
1. Pablo Zara
2. Anastacio Africa
2. Anastacio Africa
During the American Regime, and up to the Republic of the Philippines:
1. Marte Zara
[p. 2]
6. At present, Mataasnalupa is sparsely populated because of the poor soil. People went to other places due to the fact that the yield they had could not support the family’s use for the whole year.
7. In 1937, gold was discovered and mined sometime in 1938.
8. During the American regime and under the Commonwealth of the Philippines, gold was discovered, thus the economic side of the people living near was greatly bolstered.
The Antipolo Gold Mining Company began operations in1939. Half a million capital was invested. During the company’s operations, many people were employed. Unfortunately, the Second World War broke out. The company was forced to stop operations because the Japanese soldiers nearly got all the iron materials for was purposes.
After the war, the company [unreadable word] its operations. It is called Taysan Gold Mine, because another company bought claims and rights from the former.
Hundreds and hundreds of laborers were employed. The people of Mataasnalupa are politically and educationally benefited because they have learned the likes and dislikes of the Ilocanos, Bicolanos and the Visayans.
Because of the higher wages claimed by the laborers, the company was forced to stop operations. Thus, several hundred thousand pesos were lost, both to the company and to the people of Mataasnalupa. The income of the municipality was greatly affected, too.
9. No properties, lives and buildings were destroyed during 1896-1900. Our early soldiers used the hit and run tactics.
[p. 4]
In 1941-1945, several suspected guerrillas were picked up and killed by the cruel invaders. Just after the war, the company started operations. New homes were built, scattered in the [unreadable word] parts of the barrio.
10. Traditionally and religiously, the people of Mataasnalupa observed Sundays and Church holidays, i.e. never work in the farm on these days.
(a) Birth:
All members of the family are usually present during this time. They have the “PUYATAN” for several days; before the child is baptized. This is very common among the Mataasnalupa folks.
(b) Baptism:
During the early times, the young couple was not given freedom to select the supposed-to-be godmother or godfather of the child. The parents of both couples were the ones selecting the supposed second mother or father of the child. Nowadays, they are given freedom to do so. During baptism, a party is being held to celebrate the coming of a new member of the family.
(c) It was an old custom that the parents of the young man courted the parents of the bride. Oftentimes, she never talked with [unreadable]. Courting usually lasted for one year or more. At present, courting takes the other sides.
(d) Marriage:
Before marriage, the parents of the young man came to the house of the girl. They make arrangements for the coming marriage. They selected a date. They planned the expenses to be incurred during the party. Sometimes, a “bigay kaya” is given by the parents of the man. [The rest of the page is unreadable.]
[p. 5]
Death:
When one dies in a family, all relatives of the deceased are being informed. During the night before the burial, there is a puyatan. During this time, a pig or a cow is being slaughtered for the rich and a pig for the poor ones. Sometimes, the impairment is too expensive. Ordinarily, it costs about ₱100.00. Naturally, they celebrate the 4th, 9th, and 30th days, after death. Cows and pigs are being slaughtered during these days.
Burial:
For rich people, they have expensive burials. For the common family, only simple ones are done. Mourning continues for one year.
Visits:
They seldom received visitors. Only the comadres and compadres and some immediate members of the family come to them during [the] Christmas season. But when certain visitors happen to drop in, then they are very hospitable. Chickens and eggs are being served.
Festivals:
Religiously every year, they have the Flores de Mayo. During the day, mass is being said. People enjoyed themselves during this day. Games are being held, like softball and Huego de Anillo.
World:
The people of Mataasnalupa believe that there is one God who created the world. They naturally adore Jesus Christ as this God.
The Land:
[A] Long time ago, the sky and the earth were two good friends.
[p. 6]
The crows were the only birds, then. Because they were tired of flying, then they set the sky and the [earth] to quarrel. The angry sea threw water at the sky and then the sea threw all the stones and all of the earth the sky had. Thus, the beginning of the land.
Mountains and Caves:
The people of Mataaasnalupa believed that under the seas were giant turtles. These turtles tested their strength. So, parts of the land were lifted, thus the origin of the mountains.
In these mountains, we will find caves where the supposed inkantos and big giants live.
11. Rivers, Lakes and Seas:
Naturally, the ancient people of Mataasnalupa believed that the rivers, lakes and seas were created by God.
Plants, trees, and animals were the first creatures created by God.
As to [the] moon, stars, eclipses, they also believed that God created them, too.
Earthquakes, lightning and thunder were signs of punishments made by God for these sinners. These beliefs are still true to the present generations of Mataasnalupa.
Rains and clouds are also God’s wishes, according to the people of this place.
Wind and storms are a source of punishments for those people who work during holidays.
Changes of weather and climate depend upon the natural phenomena of the earth. All these changes depend upon God’s wishes. People of Mataasnalupa are unaware of the earth’s movements.
11. Continued.
Superstitious beliefs.
So far, the people of Mataasnalupa are having so many superstitious beliefs.
1. The howling of dogs means death.
2. The crowing of the cocks at night means frequent elopement of lovers.
3. When a crow sings in the yard, a relative died.
4. Sweeping at night is totally prohibited for it means bad luck.
5. When you meet lizards while going to the cockpit means bad luck, too.
6. When a planet appears with a tail means war.
7. A girl singing before a stove means she will marry a widower.
8. A cat washing her face signifies visitors are coming.
9. When a member of the family dies and the corpse is soft signifies that another member of the family will die, too.
10. When you incidentally bite your tongue while eating means that somebody is harboring you.
11. When you dream of a person who is living died, means he or she will live longer.
12. During the transition period of the moon, [and] it so happens that you take a bath, that very moment means that you will be very ill when you become sick.
Sickness – One’s sickness is caused by anitos found in sacred places like the caves and small hills. The people also believe in [the] mangkukulam.
So far, the people of Mataasnalupa are having so many superstitious beliefs.
1. The howling of dogs means death.
2. The crowing of the cocks at night means frequent elopement of lovers.
3. When a crow sings in the yard, a relative died.
4. Sweeping at night is totally prohibited for it means bad luck.
5. When you meet lizards while going to the cockpit means bad luck, too.
6. When a planet appears with a tail means war.
7. A girl singing before a stove means she will marry a widower.
8. A cat washing her face signifies visitors are coming.
9. When a member of the family dies and the corpse is soft signifies that another member of the family will die, too.
10. When you incidentally bite your tongue while eating means that somebody is harboring you.
11. When you dream of a person who is living died, means he or she will live longer.
12. During the transition period of the moon, [and] it so happens that you take a bath, that very moment means that you will be very ill when you become sick.
Sickness – One’s sickness is caused by anitos found in sacred places like the caves and small hills. The people also believe in [the] mangkukulam.
[p. 8]
11. Continued..
1. First Man and Woman:
Being Christians, the people of this place [believe] that Adan and Eva were the first man and woman on earth.
When a woman eats twin bananas, it is presumed twins will come out during birth.
Being Christians, the people of this place [believe] that Adan and Eva were the first man and woman on earth.
When a woman eats twin bananas, it is presumed twins will come out during birth.
12. Popular Songs, Games and Amusements.
(a) Songs, Kurido, Kutang, Orijenal ni Balagtas.
(b) Dance, Subli, Lulay and Pandango
(c) Amusements, Tubigan, Taguan, Pata and Cockfighting
(b) Dance, Subli, Lulay and Pandango
(c) Amusements, Tubigan, Taguan, Pata and Cockfighting
13. Puzzles and Riddles.
1. Dalawang ibong marikit, nagtitimbangan sa si-it. (hikaw)
2. Nagsaing si kapirit, kinain pati anglit. (bayabas)
3. Munting bundok hindi madampot. (ipot)
2. Nagsaing si kapirit, kinain pati anglit. (bayabas)
3. Munting bundok hindi madampot. (ipot)
14. Proverbs and Sayings.
1. Ang hipong tulog nadadala ng agos.
2. Ang bayaning masugatan, nagdadagdag ng tapang.
3. Walang banal sa bukas na kaban.
4. Naghangad ng karakot ang nawala ay isang salop.
2. Ang bayaning masugatan, nagdadagdag ng tapang.
3. Walang banal sa bukas na kaban.
4. Naghangad ng karakot ang nawala ay isang salop.
15. Measuring Time.
1. By means of the shadows.
2. By the crowing of the roosters at night.
3. By the positions of the sun.
4. By means of the Evening and Morning Stars.
2. By the crowing of the roosters at night.
3. By the positions of the sun.
4. By means of the Evening and Morning Stars.
16. No tales available.
17. No information on books, documents, etc. available.
18. No authors, writers known so far in the place.
end.
Notes and references:
Transcribed from “Report on History and Cultural Life Mataasnalupa,” 1953, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.
